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Consumer Stories
Consumer Stories

Repeat “Customers” at Augusta National

Among the job hopefuls in the crowd at AU was Joyce Li, a health science major studying to be a dental hygienist. Li was an old hand with the Masters job fair. “I worked there last year, and I had a lot of fun talking to a lot of people, and I made great connections with that,” she said. “It’s such a big tournament in Augusta, especially, and there’s a lot of people working here. I also really enjoyed the people that I worked with.” Li said the long, half-day

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Dana Lynn McIntyre September 11, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

New restaurant opening in Martinez

An established caterer and food truck operator is hoping the 3rd time is the charm for a take-out restaurant at this strip center on Washington Road directly across from McDonald’s on Davis Road. Marie’s Creole & Catering is opening this fall in the center with limited parking. Entering and exiting the parking lot can also be a bit challenging on Washington Road.   Canales Deli and Angie’s Kitchen lasted less than a year in the same location, focusing on take-out lunches and casseroles. Marie’s Creole & Catering will use the space

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Neil Gordon September 10, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Update on Wash Rd/ N.Belair Rd. shopping center

We now have a completion date for one of the two shopping centers on the land at the former Evans First Baptist Church at 3933 Washington Road in Evans. Jim Cely, the COO and partner with Duckworth Development, LLC, tells ABD that his construction crews expect to be done with the Phase 1 shell by February 1st.  Phase 1 is 8,000 square feet. This is a photo from the North Belair side today. Duckworth Development, LLC has not been asked to do any interior upfits or subdivide the shopping center.

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Neil Gordon September 10, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Simon Says: 30-month job low in Augusta

The Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) unemployment rate dipped below 4% in July. At 3.9%, this is the lowest unemployment rate since March 2024. With just 39 of 1,000 unemployed, it may cause higher pay and benefits for those looking for work. While good news, the 3.9% unemployment rate is still the highest of all MSAs in the state of Georgia (Albany, Columbus, and Macon also have 3.9%). The overall unemployment rate in Georgia is 3.3%, and Gainesville has the lowest at 2.7%. Athens, Brunswick, and Savannah have rates below

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor September 8, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

A baker’s dozen for the Peach State

Georgia will be announced as the Best State To Do Business by Area Development magazine. This is the state’s 13th year at the top. Augusta played a big part. Magazine editor Andy Greiner said the full list is embargoed until the edition is published, but he had the green light to announce the number one position. He was the keynote speaker for the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Member Economic Luncheon. The theme for the luncheon was “Why Georgia and Why Augusta.” Greiner looked at why the state is so

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Dana Lynn McIntyre September 8, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Grand Opening for Retailer with Second Store in the CSRA

A home furnishings store is now covered on both sides of the Savannah River. According to the store manager of Ken’s store at 944 Dougherty Road in Aiken, the new Grovetown store opens this weekend. The new store is in the former Babcock Furniture Store on Wrightsboro Road near Ace Hardware, Horizon South Parkway, and Forrest Plaza. There’s plenty of parking available on the three-plus-acre lot. Ken’s will feature discounted furniture and bedding for all rooms in a 16,000-square-foot showroom. Jordan Trotter Commercial Real Estate handled the leasing.

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Neil Gordon September 4, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Staying focused on in-demand careers

The Georgia Chamber of Commerce Foundation is keeping the state’s in-demand career paths and training to prepare for them top of mind. The foundation has released its latest inaugural Career Track Profiles. It is a one-stop workforce resource available to students, educators, employers, workforce professionals, and policymakers. “Utilizing the state’s first unified High Demand Career List, our team was able to develop an actionable tool to guide students and job seekers with the next steps to find employment in our fastest-growing, high-demand careers,” said Daniela Perry, Executive Director, Georgia Chamber

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Dana Lynn McIntyre September 4, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

10 Questions with the Currys

ABD: What was the beginning like for Buona Caffe at your first location, and how have you grown over the years? Currys: We started the company out of our house when we were renting a little cottage right behind what became our Central Avenue café. It was originally just going to be a web-based business selling coffee online.  Then we started selling to local restaurants (the Polka Dot Pig in Surrey Center – now Oliviana’s – was our first restaurant customer). We were roasting in the back half of an

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Neil Gordon September 4, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Longtime vacant building finally sold

Perhaps the third time is the charm for a high-profile restaurant building in Aiken. Zaxby’s was the last server of food at this location on Whiskey Road. They vacated the 3600 square-foot property in the second half of 2022 to move nearby. In late 2025, a deal was in place for Freddie’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers to open its third restaurant in this building. Here was our story then on how that deal fell apart.  The building then went on sale for nearly $1.5 million. Now, the independently owned Ace

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Neil Gordon September 4, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

28,000-square-foot store opening in the Augusta Mall

Primark, a value-based international fashion retailer, is opening a week from today, September 10th in the former Sears location in the Augusta Mall.    Primark will have both a mall entrance and an exterior entrance. Sears closed in the first half of 2020 during the pandemic. Opening festivities will kick off at 12 pm on September 10. There will be a live DJ, local treats, and giveaways, first come, first served.  The Augusta store is one of two to open next week in Georgia, as Primark will also open in Lawrenceville.

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Neil Gordon September 3, 2026 No Comments
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